Ecuador's Galapagos By Sea Ocean Cruise Multi-Adventure 8D7N, Fully Guided

Meet your Backroads Trip leaders at 5 a.m. in the departure area of the Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) near the Avianca airline counters. Arrive dressed comfortably and bring your luggage and a daypack with your rain gear and anything else you may want for today's travel. You will have access to your luggage before our first activity.

Today, you’ll board a plane to the Galapagos Island. Your journey begins through one of the world's most captivating regions - Baltra Island, the gateway to the Galápagos Islands. The Galápagos Islands are made up of 13 major islands and a slew of smaller islands and islets, all of which are volcanic in origin. Unique flora and fauna inhabit the Galápagos Islands and is home to the giant Galápagos tortoise, marine iguana, flightless cormorant, Galápagos penguins and more.

Our ship, the Galápagos Legend, awaits us at the port to whisk us away on a voyage packed with uniquely designed adventures and activities. After we have boarded the ship, we will set sail in the direction of Bartolome Island, which is one of the youngest land masses in the archipelago. An extinct volcano cone serves as the island's centrepiece and lava formations in a variety of colours dot the landscape.

Enjoy lunch onboard and refuel for island-based activities in the afternoon. As we approach Bartolomé, Pinnacle Rock will come into view; you may recognize it as one of the islands' most iconic sights and most photographed locations. Explore the rough terrain on land, which features orange, green, black, and red volcanic landforms and lava plains occupied by cacti. From the beach, a 375-step walk leads to an overlook with a stunning view of the surrounding area. Finally, you can get a whole new viewpoint by going underwater with an optional snorkeling adventure at the bay.

Spend some time relaxing on the beach or snorkel to discover the species of Bartolomé's protected bay; tropical fish, marine turtles, and even tame white tipped reef sharks are often observed in these waters. Pinnacle Rock is home to a small colony of Galápagos penguins, so keep a look out for the little black and white seabirds darting past you in the ocean or waddling about on land.

End your day at a gorgeous beach where you may rest or spend some more time in the sea. Returning to the ship, we celebrate our first day on the islands with a delicious meal showcasing the day's fresh catch.

After completing our early morning sail, we disembark on South Plaza Island, where we might be greeted by the resident sea lion colony. The hike starts in a spectacular cactus forest surrounded by sea lions, land and marine iguanas, and an abundance of nesting birds, including red-billed tropicbirds and swallow-tailed gulls. The trail leads us to a steep cliff through arid-type vegetation and along the coast. Most of the island is covered with leather leaf (Maytenus), thorny bushes (Scutia pauciflora) and carpeted by the indigenous Sesuvium, a colourful blooming succulent. We may see both marine and terrestrial iguanas, and sometimes a hybrid species. 

A lunchtime sail brings us to North Seymour Island, a low, flat island that was raised some millennia ago by a seismic catastrophe. There is a trail which you can take leisurely that brings you to the craggy coastlines and cliffs, home to large numbers of sea lions. Along the coastlines, birds such as blue-footed boobies' nest amid the pebble rocks. The island's centre is covered with fragrant salt plants, where frigate birds and land iguanas prefer to breed.

Your hike will continue to the Las Bachas beach, which has white sand and clear, turquoise water. Snorkel into the water and look down to see tropical fish swimming in the shallows and you might also spot some pink flamingos wading in the shallows.

Next, we join our naturalist for a stroll on land, nesting grounds of blue-footed boobies may be seen on each side of the route and the courting dances of mating couples take place. Further along the rocky shore, large flocks of sea birds congregate for feeding frenzies in a tableau that transports us back to a bygone era. On North Seymour Island, a path leads to the spectacular frigate bird's greatest breeding location in the Galapagos. Males with inflated scarlet gular pouches sit precariously in low bushes to keep an eye on their equally large chicks, which have wingspan of five feet.

Visit the ship's deck or bar lounge after your hike to catch a sunset. Our next port of call is San Cristóbal, Mexico. We'll have a BBQ supper and an overnight stay in North Seymour before the ship travels on.

Early this morning, while you were slumbering soundly or perhaps catching the sunrise with a steaming café, our expert captain will guide you Pitt Point, nestled far eastern edge of San Cristobal. Before venturing ashore to explore the green-hued olivine beaches and several nesting locations, fuel yourself with a hearty breakfast on board.

Following a wet landing directly onto the beach, the cheerful barking of the local Galápagos Sea Lion population will greet you. A peaceful road leads us up the cliffs, where the Blue-Footed, Red-Footed, and Nazca Boobies breed in harmony with one another. This is the only place in the Galápagos where all three kinds of nest side by side.

Our trip begins with a strenuous section over lava-strewn ground before ascending through stunning desert-like scenery. After that, cool up with a swim in the Pacific, which sounds even better before lunch. Additionally, you'll be able to go snorkeling or kayaking in a sheltered bay (which at times may have rough waters). Cerro Brujo (Witch's Hill), a former volcanic tuff cone now home to a lovely white-sand beach, is our destination for the day. A 650-foot-high cliff may be kayaked along, passing through spectacular natural arches, and snorkeling can be done in the deep sea.

Our last port of call for the day is located on San Cristóbal's southwest coast, and we sail there in the evening. Galápagos Province's capital city, Puerto Baquerizo, is the island's oldest community, with a population of roughly 6,500 people. In addition to being a lovely spot to unwind, Puerto Baquerizo serves as a perfect jumping off point for a variety of cruises and trips across the Galapagos Islands because of its strategic location as the province's seat.

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 15km (9 miles), 1 to 3 hours Hiking, Elevation gain: 122m (400ft)
Level 1, Approx. 31km (19 miles), 1 to 3 hours Hiking, Elevation gain: 153m (500ft)

Prepare for a long day of exploring on San Cristóbal Island this morning. We take a shuttle from the harbour to La Galapaguera Reserve, which is home to huge Galapagos tortoises. Unlike other similar facilities, this one preserve semi–natural circumstances in which baby tortoises may hatch without the need of incubators. Four-month-old turtle hatchlings are returned into their native environment after they have completed their development. Giant tortoises may be seen in the wild along a short hiking track.

A 2-mile hike from the San Cristobal Interpretation Center will take you to Cerro Tijeretas (Frigate Bird Hill). Numerous indoor displays within the centre provide information on the archipelago's geology and natural history. You'll see cactus and acacia trees, as well as lava lizards, as you make your way down the route. Views of Isla Lobos, Cerro Brujo, Puerto Baquerizo, Shipwreck Bay, and others may be seen from the summit of the hill. A WWII cannon and a monument of Charles Darwin may be seen at the site's two observation points. Find a route that descends to an inlet at the foot of Frigate Bird Hill. You’ll have opportunity to swim and snorkel here.

Take a break from kayaking to have lunch on board the ship before sailing off for Darwin Sea, an idyllic coral beach with a stunning view of the bay. After landing on a little sand and coral beach, keep an eye out for seagulls above, as well as playful sea lions, inquisitive sea turtles, and even marine iguanas. The island's salt bushes are controlled by great frigate birds and red-footed boobies, who nest here in abundance. If you pay attention, you could identify a pair of red-footed boobies with white feathers instead of brown ones.

Or, you have the option of taking the day off from our planned activities and going scuba diving at Kicker Rock for the whole day (at additional cost). This evening, indulge in a delicious supper in the ship's dining room.

As we take a morning cruise to Española Island, discover the most endemic species of any place in the Galapagos. Even though you come over the edge of a hill, you'll be thrilled to see hundreds of boobies gathered around the big rocks. The blue-footed boobies danced from side to side as part of their fascinating mating ritual. The beautiful Nazca boobies cuddled up with their babies, which look like tiny white fur balls.

But maybe the most amazing part of the island is just a little bit further up, where you can stand on the edge of a steep cliff and watch bright blue waves crash into the rock face and make huge geysers. Look at the beautiful rainbow, which is a spectacular sight along the rough coast. If you're lucky, you'll be surrounded by vibrant foliage, another sign of how different the islands are. Later, you'll see a majestic Galapagos Hawk walking through some tall grass. These birds don't mind when people come to see them. After a quick lunch on the boat, go back to Espanola to check out Gardner Bay, which is in a different part of the island. You probably won't be alone, since sea lions like to sunbathe here on the soft white sand. There are several places to snorkel nearby, as well as calm waters where you can kayak.

Suarez Point hike, one of the nicest on the islands, is open this afternoon. As you exit, keep an eye out for beautifully coloured marine iguanas, as well as a few sleeping sea lions. On a coastal route, we'll see swallow-tailed gulls, and red-billed tropicbirds breeding on beaches and cliffs. We make our way to the southern end of the island and a spectacular blowhole, where waves smash through a lava fissure and create a tremendous spray. Waved albatross mating dances may be seen just off the path if your visit coincides with theirs. These magnificent birds have 7- to 8-foot wingspans. The whole adult population of waved albatrosses (up to 30,000 birds!) congregates here between April and December for complex courting rituals.

After returning to the ship, enjoy supper and a trip to Floreana Island in the evening.

Floreana Island, with its black sand beaches, glistening lagoons, and misty highland peaks, is the focus of our exploration today. On land and underwater, the sixth-largest Galápagos Island has an abundance of ecological treasures to see. Aside from its natural beauty, Floreana has a fascinating and at times somewhat tragic — history of human colonization that has earned the island a certain notoriety.

Located on Floreana's northern shore, Punta Cormorant is a natural paradise that's not to be missed. Galápagos penguins and red-billed tropicbirds live on the islands' steep cliffs, where the penguins dive for fish and the tropicbirds breed. Further out, lava gulls perch precariously on the jagged black rocks of the Devil's Crown (a submerged volcanic cone) while angelfish, marbled rays, and reef sharks glide through the surrounding waters. Sea lions sun themselves nearby on a beach with a greenish tinge due to the presence of the mineral olivine.

From there, a path leads to a powdery white sand beach where green sea turtle footprints may occasionally be seen. A mangrove-lined lagoon in the interior of the island feeds one of the greatest concentrations of greater flamingos in the Galápagos. In addition to up to 150 exquisite long-legged birds, various other water birds and the occasional Galápagos hawk may be seen there.

This morning, we arrive in Itabaca, a harbour located on Santa Cruz Island. We begin with a shuttle to Los Gemelos, the island's famed pit craters (The Twins). From the vantage point, it is possible to observe a four-football-field-wide chasm with four acres of vegetation. When volcanic lava chambers emptied, forcing their ceilings to fall, these pit craters were formed. Here, you will be equipped with your bike and provide a short safety and cycling methods lecture. Begin your biking adventure over the verdant Santa Cruz hills. From the mountains, we descend through the agricultural side of Santa Cruz, passing little communities and tropical fruit farms. Keep your eyes open; what may seem to be a stray rock from a distance may really be a huge tortoise out for a walk!

Our last stop is Don Adriano Cabrera's organic coffee and sugarcane plantation-El Trapiche. Don Adriano has lived on the islands for over 40 years and will enchant us with his stories of subsisting on a volcanic island's soil as we enjoy organic Santa Cruz coffee produced from his beans. Enjoy the beautiful surroundings before boarding the shuttle to return to Itabaca. You may relax aboard the ship while we sail near Eden Island.

Finally, head to Eden Islet, a tropical haven where you can see an abundance of wildlife on land, in the air and in the water. Birds like the blue-footed and brown pelicans and lava gulls, as well as frigate birds, brown noddy terns, and nazca boobies, nest on the coastal cliffs. Because the waters are so clear and shallow, you'll be able to see a wide variety of wildlife right from the comfort of your boat. Additionally, go snorkeling and get up close and personal with the marine life that inhabits Eden Islet and the waters surrounding it.

This morning, feel free to sleep in and enjoy a leisurely breakfast. Join your guides for a final zodiac ride to explore the area around Carrion Point. It is possible to observe rays and white-tipped reef sharks resting in the tranquil turquoise waters of this protected lagoon.

The day of our return to Quito begins with a short ferry ride and shuttle to the airport on Baltra Island. From here, board a flight to Quito's international airport, where your adventure in Ecuador concludes. (Please note that while we strive to book direct flights between Baltra and Quito whenever possible, the most dependable flights frequently require a layover in Guayaquil.)

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.